AI: The Question of Learning

Play and Patience Required

There is a shift. People seem to be moving from, “Sure, I’ll pay attention to this new thing called AI,” to “How do I learn more?” Courses abound, but buyer beware. Most claim to clear up confusion and help you build your confidence. But to me, “learning AI,” especially if it comes with a syllabus, homework, and self-tests, sounds horrible.

If you are a “learn by lesson” kind of person, then I highly recommend Section AI. While their business is primarily focused on retraining the workforces of large enterprises, they have individual courses and often have free sessions. Stay away from 28-day courses such as the ones Coursiv.io offers. Learning AI isn’t “breaking a habit” in 28 days.

You don’t learn AI by taking a course. Because everything about AI is changing every minute, you really have to learn it by doing.

Find a ChatBot You Like and Stay

Stick with the basics. There is so much to explore, continually, with whatever ChatBot you favor and they change daily. There is a new version of ChatGPT, 5.1, and while people say it’s hardly an upgrade (that’s why it’s only 5.1 and not 5.5 or 6.0), it feels like a big change. As goofy as it sounds, I feel like I can have a much more intelligent back and forth with it than ever before. Maybe it’s because these ChatBots are becoming more “street” smart or, dare I say, “emotionally” intelligent.

The word on the tech “street” (I just came back from a multi-day retreat with a bunch of AI tech company founders) is that Gemini, from Google, is REALLY good and is FREE. I couldn’t agree more. Although we all have our favorites. But the real zinger is Voice.

🌬️ Gemini’s New Voice Mode

It’s the future. “Search” as we know it has changed. Voice will be the next generation of user interface. The tech exists now, but it’s more about getting you used to using your voice to search or shop.

🎞️ Waste Some Time with Video

There are hundreds of AI video/image creation tools. I tried Pika. But like many of these apps, I have no real “need” so I chose, “squeeze.” This is my father’s canteen from WWII that I found on eBay (that’s another story.) The “squeeze” is a useless example, but you get the idea.

If you really want to play, this one from Marble Labs is totally cool and fun. I created a 3D Virtual Thrift Shop.  

Waymo Spotted in NYC

I’m not sure I’m ready yet. I was just in Deer Valley, Utah, and a friend demonstrated how his Tesla has the self-driving software that has been promised for years, but that now works. How can you be sure, I eeked out as “she” (they named the nav system) drove a little too fast on the mountain hairpins? We all agreed that she clearly was ignoring the speed limit signs. Guess she didn’t see over the cliff, either.

Until Next Time

Stay curious, remember that the best learning happens when you’re playing. So let loose and remember ChatBots don’t grade you — unless you ask them.

Connie